Seven Heavens Challah

This special challah is made according to an ancient sephardic tradition to make the Pan de Siete Cielos challah exclusively for Shavuot. It probably got its name from an old Spanish expression meaning: “I am so happy that I feel like I am floating on seven clouds”, or the modern expression to be 'on cloud nine'.
Symbols of the giving of the torah on Mount Sinai are carved into the challah. First, a round challah is formed to represent Mount Sinai. Seven pieces of dough are rolled out and pressed against the round challah, forming rings around it. They represent the seven heavens or clouds. Symbols from the Shavuot story are then carved and pressed against the clouds.
Each family had its own traditions, but some common symbols are the Torah, Jacob’s ladder, Miriam’s well, the Star of David, the Hamsa, and the tablets of the Ten Commandments.